The widespread issue of vehicle theft forces owners across China to adopt unconventional methods to protect their property. Small electric vehicles, while popular for urban commuting, are particularly vulnerable targets. This necessitates drastic security actions by citizens concerned about losing their transport.
Sidewalks in many Chinese cities feature robust posts or large stone spheres known as bollards. While officially installed to prevent tragic vehicle attacks on pedestrians, their presence offers a secondary, more common use. Owners frequently resort to securing their electric cars and scooters to these immovable objects using heavy straps. This DIY approach acts as a rudimentary but necessary lock system in environments where theft is a constant worry.
The very need for individuals to physically tether their vehicles to street furniture starkly contrasts with external narratives often portraying China as a country with exceptionally low crime rates and high public safety. The visual evidence of cars strapped to bollards serves as a daily reminder of the practical security challenges faced by ordinary people. It's a tangible precaution driven not by isolated incidents but by the pervasive risk of property theft impacting everyday life. This common sight powerfully illustrates the gap between promoted ideals of order and the lived reality of needing to guard possessions vigilantly against theft.
